Rockwell Collins is unveiling at NBAA the first major integration update and more details about the long-term strategy behind last year’s $1.4 billion acquisition of Arinc.
Arinc is widely known as a standards-making body and provider of communication networks for the aviation industry, but the Annapolis, Maryland-based company also operates a trip management service for business jet operators. That aligns closely with Collins’ Houston-based Ascend business.
As an immediate integration step, Collins is consolidating trip planning services under the Arinc Direct brand. At the same time, the company is rolling out Arinc Direct-banded applications for smartphones and the Apple iPad, including an application that automatically calculates fuel stops to ensure the lowest prices on a trip.
But the Cedar Rapids-based avionics powerhouse has much loftier plans for the combination of Arinc communications networks and Collins avionics.
Collins has spent the past decade perfecting connectivity within the aircraft, with the Pro Line Fusion cockpit and Venue cabin management system. The Arinc deal allows Collins to take the next step with connectivity with satellite- and terrestrial-based communication networks.
“We started down this information management strategy over 10 years ago,” says Jeff Standerski, senior vice-president of information management services.
The advent of the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 has expanded network-based architectures within the aircraft, raising the opportunity now of developing more advanced networks that can enable more connectivity with the ground.
“There’s a lot more data that’s able to be downloaded off those airplanes,” Standerski says.
Business aviation is expected to be Collins’ biggest growth market and a natural opportunity for greater connectivity.
“We want to be able to duplicate the office you have at home and replicate that on the aircraft,” says Scott Gunnufson, Collins’ vice-president of sales and marketing for commercial systems.
“We think we’re uniquely positioned to make that replication. We’re not there yet. But we always look long-term and envision what could be. This is a space I would keep my eyes and ears open. There’s a lot more announcements coming out.”
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Source: Flight Daily News
